A nurse is caring for a client who has SLE and is experiencing an episode of Raynaud's phenomenon. Which of the following findings should the nurse anticipate?

A. This is not typical for Raynaud's phenomenon. Instead, Raynaud's is characterized by episodes of reduced blood flow to the extremities, often triggered by cold or stress, leading to sensations of coldness or numbness rather than warmth.
B. This finding aligns with Raynaud's phenomenon. During an episode, the blood vessels constrict in response to cold or stress, leading to pallor (whiteness) in the affected areas, such as the toes and fingers. This is a classic symptom of the condition.
C. While feet can become reddened due to increased blood flow after rewarming or after exposure to warmth, this is not a characteristic feature of Raynaud's phenomenon. In Raynaud's, the affected areas typically exhibit color changes from white (pallor) to blue (cyanosis) and then red (hyperemia) as blood flow returns, but redness upon ambulation is not specifically indicative of the phenomenon.
D. Swelling of the joints can occur in SLE due to arthritis or inflammation but is not a direct symptom of Raynaud's phenomenon. Raynaud's primarily affects blood flow and does not inherently cause joint swelling; however, a client with SLE may experience joint symptoms due to other underlying inflammatory processes.

A. Weight gain is not a typical finding associated with SLE. Patients often experience weight loss due to decreased appetite, fatigue, or increased metabolism. Therefore, this choice is less likely to be expected.
B. While some patients with SLE may develop cardiac complications, such as pericarditis or valvular disease, a systolic murmur is not a common or characteristic finding of the disease itself. This choice is not specifically indicative of SLE.
C. Alopecia, or hair loss, is a common finding in patients with SLE. It can occur due to the disease itself or as a side effect of certain medications used in treatment. This choice is a typical manifestation of SLE.
D. Petechiae can occur in SLE, particularly when there is thrombocytopenia (low platelet count) or vasculitis associated with the condition. While it is not as common as alopecia, it can still be an expected finding in some cases of SLE.